Towel-folding machine



May 25, 1926.

- A. S. MITCHELL TOWEL FOLDING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 5, 1922 ATTORNEY A. S. MITCHELL TOWEL FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. :5, 19 2. 1 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR flM/STE? 5. WHY/[CA GOA/V] Q ATTORNEY May 25 1926. r 1,586,456

A. s. MITCHELL TOWEL FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1922 1 Sheets-Sheet s f ,r i

l o I 83-. 0 a 1 m N 55 n M a N 3 R s a 3 i g m k r3: k H a is? a j i i E g a B a N w N F N N G} Q N E K m w 3 i fl INVENTOR flLfi/STER 5. M/It'l/[Lh l ATTORNEY May 25, 1926.

' A. s MITCHELL TOWEL FOLDING MAcHiNE Filed Nov. 5, 1922 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR J7LA/5f5Q 5.07/70/75'44 ATTORNEY May 25,1926. 1,586,456

A. S. MITCHELL- TOWEL FOLDING MACHI NE Filed Novf 5, 1922 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 1m 1575,? .9. M/nY/[AA iAgORNEY May 25 1926.

A. 5. MITCHELL TOWEL FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1922 10 SheecsSheet 6 Y .El

mm km ATTORN EY May 25,1926. 1,586,456

A. S. MITCHELL TOWEL FOLDING MACHINE I Filed Nov. 5,- 1922 10 Sheets-Sheet log I May 25,1926.

A. S.- MITCHELL TOWEL FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1922 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR JILL/575? am/rq/MM,

ATTORN EY May 25, 1926. 1,586,456

A. S. MITCHELL TQWEL FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5. 1922 10 Sheets-Shed 9 INVENTOR BY WW Patented May 25, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE ALLISTER s. MITCHELL, or OAKIQAND,

CALIFORNIA, Assrenon. 'ro CALIFORNIA oozr- TON MILLS COMPANY, OF OAKLAND, cannon-ma, A CORPORATION or CALI- FQRNIA.

TOWEL-FOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed November 3, 1922. Serial No. 598,955.

My invention is an improved folding and tying machine, particularly applicable to handling towels. I

Hand labor has been extensively employed in the folding of towels for the reason that it was impossible to fold the towel transversely with one edge projecting beyond the other. This method of folding towels has been found necessary so that they will lie even and straight in a bundle. The towels areeasier handled in the bundle and each individual t-owel is easily extracted. The trade has long used this type of folding and it has become a requirement.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine which will fold towels longitudinally and transversely, place them in stacks and tie a cord about the stack, in a continuous movement. Another object is to provide a towel folding machine which is rapid and efficient in operation. 1 i j My machine accomplishes the following results: The towel is folded longitudinally by means of warped surfaces, then transversely by a knife which Operates between two rollers. The towels are stacked on a belt which is moved intermittently to carry the stack, into the binding mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,' I have shown a preferred embodiment of my in vention, but I do not limit myself to the form shown for it may also be embodied in 35 similar forms, and it is understood that in the specification. andthe appended claims 1 have endeavored to cover my invention in whatever form it may be embodied.

Referring to the drawings: I Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the right side of my folding machine Figure 2 is a side elevation of the left side of the same.

Figure 3 is a top plan View. Figure 1 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4: of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an edge viewof an unfolded. towel. I

Figure (5 is an edge view of a towel hav- 50 ing the first fold.

Figure 7 ing the second fold.

Figure Sis an edge View of a towel having the last longitudinal fold.

is an edge view of a towel hav- Figure .91is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 99 of-Figure 3. t

Figure '10 is an end view of the stacking arms actuating rod, taken in direction of the arrow in 'Figure 9. 1 i i p Figure 1.1 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 1111 of Fig. 9.

Figure 12 is an end view of the stacking. arms. g

"Figure 13 is a rear View oft-he stacking arms coordinating mechanism. Figure 14 is thewiring diagram of the transverse folding and bundle forming cons trol- I Figure 15 is an end View of the folding machine with the tying mechanism removed. 1

v Figure 16 is a sectional view of the timing mechanism taken ure 20. i I

I Figurel'r' is a sectional View of ing clutch control.

on- 'the line 16-16 of Figthe um Figure 18 is a side View of the'control arms for the timing clutch. t

Figure 19 is a planview'of'the stacking arms control mechanism; I

Figure 20 is a side ,view' of mechanism.

Figure 21 is a top plan view of the same. Figure 22 is a sectional view taken on theline2222 of Fig. 21. L i

Referring more particularly to the drawing in which the same reference numerals apply to the same parts throughout:

the timing My towel foldingmachine performs four operations; the longitudinal folding 1, transverse folding 2, stacking 3 and tying 4., the operations occurring in the order named. The 1 machine comprises "vertical frame members 5, 6, 7 8, 9, 10 and 11 on the left side. and 12,13, 14, 15, 16,17and 18 on the right side. The left vertical frame members are ]O1IlQCl by upper horizontal 1 members 19, 20 and 21 and lower horizontal members 22, 23and 24. The right vertical frame membersare gomed by upperhorrzontal members 25, 26' and 27,' and lower members 28, 29 and 30. Each of the frame members are preferably formed of angle irons as shown in the drawings.

The main drive shaft 31 extends trans;

versely of the machine and is journaled on the frame members 23 and 29. A drive pulley 32 is secured to the shaft 31 and is driven by any suitable source of power such as the electric motor 34 and the belt 3 Longitudinal fZ(Zz'ng.The longitudinal folding mechanism 1 consists of a baseboard 35 which is secured to the frame members 19 and and extends horizontally to ad jacent the transverse folding knife, (which will be subsequently described.) Secured to the board are a pair of warped surfaced folding blocks 36 and 37. Extending inwardly from the block 37 is a folding wing 38, and a Wing 39 extends from the block 36 forwardly of the wing 38. A conveyor belt 40 travels over the board 35 and around rollers 41 and 42, and a second belt 43 extends around rollers 44 and 45 and carries the towel under the folding knife. The rollers 41 and 42 and 44 and 45 are journaled in the frame members 19 and 25. On the shaft of the roller 42 is mounted a pulley 46 and a belt 47 extends over said pulley and over a pulley 48 on the drive shaft 31. The conveyor 43 is actuated from a sheave 49 on the shaft of the roller 45 and by a belt 50 which extends over said sheave and over a sheave 51 on the right hand end of the shaft 31. A strap 52 is secured to the frame members 19 and 25 and extends across the end of the machine above the blocks 36 and 37. Suspended from the strap 52 is a guide plate 53 under which the towel passes and which is positioned slightly above the belt 40 and holds the towel against said belt so that the blocks 36 and 37 can fold the towel over it.

A feed roller 54 is suspended from the strap 52 adjacent the belt 40 and is driven by a belt 55 which extends over said roller and over a sheave 56 on a shaft 57. The shaft 57 is journaled in hangers which are secured to the strap 52. A drive sheave 58 is secured to the shaft 57 and is driven through a belt 59 which extends over a sheave 60 on the shaft of the roller 42.

An advancing roller 61 is positioned over the belt 43 at the end of the plate 53 and is journaled in a bracket 62 which is mounted on the frame member 25. The roller 61 is driven by a belt 63 which extends over the roller 42 and a sheave on the shaft of the roller 61.

A second advancing roller 64 is positioned under the forward end of the wing 39. The left folded portion of the towel falls on the top of this roller and is carried into the guide 65 which guide directs the towel downwardly onto the belt 43. The guide is mounted on a bracket 66 secured to the frame 25. The roller 64 is journaled in a standard 67 which is secured to the frame 25. A drive belt 68 passes around a sheave on the shaft of the rollers 64 and over a sheave 69 mounted on the same shaft as Eh? roller 71 for the transverse conveyor Transoeme folding-The transverse folding mechanism 2 has a conveyor belt 70 which travels over rollers 71 and 72. The roller 72 is driven by a belt 73 which extends over a sheave 74 on the shaft of said roller, and over a sheave 75 on the main drive shaft 31. The rollers 71 and 72 are journaled in the frame members 20 and 26.

A transverse horizontal supporting frame 76 is secured to the frame members 20 and 26, and carries a pair of rubber rollers 77 and 78. Meshing gears 79 and 80 are secured to the shafts of the rollers 77 and 78 respectively. The roller 77 is driven by a gear 81 mounted on the shaft thereof, which gear meshes with a gear 82 secured on a stub shaft 83 journaled in the frame 76. A drive gear 84 is also secured to the shaft 83 and is driven by a chain 85, which chain extends over said drive gear and over a gear 86 on the drive shaft 31. A transverse folding knife 87 is mounted over the rollers 77 and 78 on a frame 88 which frame is secured to the member 76. A pair of rods 89 are secured to the knife 87 and are journaled in the frame 88. The rods 89 rise above the frame 88 and springs 90 encircle said rods and are positioned between the frame and the heads of the rods. The springs tend to hold the knife 87 in a raised position. A bar 91 joins the rods 89 and extends beyond the frame 88. Depending connecting rods 92 and 93 are secured at their upper ends to the ends of the bar 91 and at the bottom to levers 94 and 95 respectively. The levers 94 and 95 are secured to the ends of an actuating rod 96 which rod is journaled in brackets 97 and 98 secured to the legs 7 and 14 respectively. The levers 94 and 95 extend beyond the rod 96 and have secured to them counterweights 99 and 100 respectively.

A countershaft 101 is journaled in brackets secured to the uprights 8 and 15. A gear 102 is secured to the end of the shaft 1.01 which gear meshes with a drive gear 103 on the shaft 31. An eccentric 104 is mounted on the shaft 101 and is surrounded with a strap 105 which strap in turn is secured to a link 106. The link 106 is pivoted to a reciprocating arm 107 which is journaled in hangers 108 hung from the frame member 23.

A downwardly inclined tray 109 is positioned in front of the knife 87, and is supported by brackets from the frame members 20 and 26. A brush 110 is journaled in the tray above the floor thereof and immediately in front of the knife 87. The brush 110 is rotated by a belt 111 which travels over a sheave 112 on the shaft of the conveyor roller 72 and a sheave 113 on the shaft of said brush.

A contact 114 is adjustably mounted in the tray 109 on a stand 115. An adjusting screw 116 is secured to the stand and extends through the back of the tray 109. The contact 114 has a hinged contactforming plate 117 which is adapted tocontact with a screw, 118. Thiscontact energizesan electro-magnet 119, which magnet attracts a bar 120. The bar 120 is secured to arod 120 which is journaled in the frame members 7 and 14. A spring 121 tends tohold the bar 120 away from the magnet 119. A horizontal arm 120 is secured to the bar 120 and a plunger rod .122 is secured thereto and pivoted to a plunger 123. The plunger123 sets into a guideway 124 which guideway is secured to an arm 125parallel to the arm 107 and journaled in the same hangers 108." The arm 125. is adapted to engage a depending crank 126, which is secured to the rod 96 and rocks said rod. It will be seen that when the elec-' tro-magnet is energized the plunger 123 drops and falls in front of the arm 107 in its reciprocation which advances the arm 126 and partially rotates the rod 96. -This depresses the levers 94. and 95 which are secured to the rods 92. and 93 to actuate the knife 87.. The'knife is depressed and the towel is folded at this pointand carried between the rollers 77 and 78 and dropsupon the conveyor 70 which carries it into the stacking mechanism 3. v

Stacking mechanism. In the stacking mechanism the towels first enter upon an inclined divided chute 130 which consists of two channel members 131 and 132. vertical guide rods 133 are secured to the frame members 21, 23, 27 and 29. Secured to the lower ends of opposite pairs of guide rods 133 are two pivot rods134 and, 135. A pair of supporting straps 136 are secured to thechann'el member 131 and are pivoted to the rod 134. A pair of supporting straps 137 are secured to the channel member 132 and are pivotedto the rod 135. The supportingstraps 136 travel in guidesf136 secured to the frame member21 and the straps 137 have guides 137' which are secured to the frame member 27. I

A transverse shaft 138 is journaled in the frame members 21 and 27. A chain 139 meshes with a drive gear 140 on the shaft 101 and with a gear 141 on the shaft 138. A spurgear 142 on the shaft 138 drives a gear 143 and through it a shaft 144 carrying crank pins 250 and 251 adapted to press downwardly on a lever 252, f-ulcrumed to the frame at 253. A weight 254'is carried by the outer: end of the lever for a purpose to be later described. An. eccentric 1.45 is secured to the outer end of the shaft 144 and oscillates a lever 146 through the eccentric rod 147. The lever 146 is pivoted to an arm 148 which is mounted in bearings 1.49 and; 156 onpthe legs 14 and 15 respectively. An actuating arm 151 is, mounted in the bearings 1492 and above. the arm 148.

Four

' This contact energizes an electro-magnet 156 which attracts abar 157 and pulls it downward. A rod 158 is secured to the bar 157 and a plunger 159 is pivoted to the lower end of the rod 158 and fits'into a socket in the arm 151. I A notch 160 is formed in the upper surface of thearm 148 which is adapted to receive the plunger 159 and consequently carry the arm 151'forwardly. A link 161 is pivoted to the arm 151 and to. a counter;- weighted lever arm 162. The lever 162- is secured to a transverse shaft. 163 which is journaled on the frame members 24 and 30. A crank 164 is secured at the centerof the shaft 163. mounted on the four guide rods 133. A link A crosshead 165 is slidably- 166 is pivotedto the crank 164 and to'the crosshead 165 and is adapted to reciprocate sald crosshead. Spring 167 encircle the four guide rods 133 and are positionedbetween the crosshead 165 and the frame members 24 and 30, the object of these springs and. of the weighted lever 252 being to return the frame 168 and a crank arm 170 is se cured at the middle thereof. Pivoted to the crank 176 and to the frame 168 is a jointed chute actuating arm-171. Atripping finger 172 is supported; fromjthe frame 27 and is of the machine. A shaft 169 is journaled in adapted to break the jointin they arm 171 I as will be later described,

Secured to eitheraend of the shaft 169 are cranks 173.- Links 174 are pivoted to the tips of the cranks 173and to the supporting straps'136. Links 175 are pivoted to the lower ends of the cranks 173 and to the supporting straps 137. A spring 176 is see cured to a lug on the shaft 169 and to the frame 27 to assist the rotation of the shaft and the working of the cranks. 173. I When the crosshead 165 has returned to its top positiomin order to insure the proper closing'of the chute130 a crank 177 is secured to the shaft 169 and a flexible strap 178. is se cured to said crank and to the floor. It will beseen that as the head 165 and frame 168 rise the strap 178:will pull downwardly on the crank 177 to close the chute 130.

A belt 179 is. positioned under the chute 130 to receive the towelsas they are ejected bythe chute. Thebelt 179travels over a roller 180 which is journaled in the frame members 8 and15 and over a roller. 181 Journaled' n the frame members :21 and 27.

' The belt 179 does not travel continuously but it is rotatcd after six towels have been deposited upon 1t by the chute 130,and carries them into the, tying mechanism. 1 This in,

termittent movement of the belt will now be described.

An eccentric 183 is mounted on the shaft 101 and the strap 184 of said eccentric is pivoted to a push bar 185. The bar 185 is mounted in a slot 186 in the guide block 187. The block 187 is bolted to the timing mechanism frame 188. A stub shaft 189 is journaled in a hangar from the frame 188. Secured to the shaft 189 is an advancing ratchet 190 which is advanced by a pawl 191. Pivoted to the pawl 191 is an actuating rod 192 which is hung from the crosshead 165. lVhen the head 165 lowers the rod 192 drops the pawl 191 to the next tooth in the ratchet 190, and when it raises, the pawl is pulled upward to advance the ratchet a distance of one tooth. The pawl 191 is pivoted to an arm 193 which is journaled on the shaft 189. A brake drum 194 is secured to the shaft 189 and is surrounded by a brake band 195. This prevents the ratchet 190 from advancmg any further than carried by the pawl 191.

Mounted on the shaft 189 is a. disc 196 and projecting from the periphery of said disc are two cams 197. The disc is advanced by the ratchet 190 and the cams 197 in their rotation engage a push rod 198 which is journaled in a block 199 hung from the frame 188. The rear portion of the rod 198 is pivoted to the forward end, which enables said rear portion to rise in front of the bar 185 and is advanced thereby. The forward portion of the rod 198 is suspended in a block 200 which is secured to the frame 188. A spring 201 is positioned between the block 200 and a shoulder 202 on the rod 198, which tends to move the rod rearwardly. A stop 203 is formed on the rod 198 forwardly of the block 200. A drag link 204 is pivoted to the rear portion of the rod 198 and is formed with a. hook 205. The cam 197 in its rotation raises the rod 198 and hook 205 simultaneously. Since the disc 196 is only advanced by the distance of one notch on the ratchet 190 this is not enough to clear the cam from the rod to allow said rod to drop. Therefore, as the rod 198 is advanced the hook 205 falls back of the cam 197 and pulls it around to entirely free it from the said rod which drops down until again engaged by the second cam. The rod 198 in advancing engages a depending finger 206 of a strap 207. The strap 207 is supported 011 pins 208 which are secured to the frame 188. The pins 208 work in slots 209 in the strap 207. A spring 210 secured to the strap 207 and frame 188 urges said strap rearwardly. A latch 210 is adapted to fall into a notch 210 in the strap 207 to hold said strap in a forward position. One arm 211 of a bell crank lever 212 fits into a slot 213 in the strap 207. The bell crank 212 is pivoted to the frame 188. The other arm 214 of the crank 212 is adapted to actuate a clutch collar 215, which is slidably keyed to a shaft 216. The shaft 216 is journaled from the frame members 9 and 16. A clutch engaging member 217 is rotatably journaled on the shaft 216 and is rotated by a chain 218 which passes over a sprocket 219 on the shaft 101 and a sprocket 220 on the member217. It will be seen that when the collar 215 engages the member 217 the shaft 216 will be rotated. As the shaft 216 is rotated the belt 179 is actuated by a chain 221, which travels over a sprocket 222 on the shaft 216 and a sprocket 223 011 the shaft of the roller 181.

A shaft 224 is journaled above the shaft 216 and is driven by a gear 225 which meshes with a. gear 226 on the shaft 216. Secured to the shaft 224 is a disc 227 which has a projecting lug 228 adapted to engage the latch 210 and raise same from the notch 210, and release the strap 207 which is moved to its normal position rearwardly by the spring 210.

Secured to the shaft 224 is a finger 229 which at each rotation of the shaft engages a pawl 230 engaging a ratchet wheel 231 to slightly rotate said wheel. An arm 232 is pivoted to the wheel 231 and is secured to an agitator rod 233 which is journaled in the frame member 21 and in a bracket 234. A spring 235 encircles the rod 233 and is positioned between the bracket 234 and a collar 236 on the rod 233. The upper end of the rod 233 engages a plate 237 which extends under the belt 179 and is pivoted from the frame members 8 and 15. The rod 233 moves the plate rapidly up and down against the belt 179 and settles the towels and makes a compact bundle going into the tying mechanism 4.

Tying mechanism. The tying mechanism 4 has a pair of intake rollers 240 which carry the towel bundles from the belt 179 into the knotting mechanism 241, which is of any standard and well known construction. Output rollers 242 take the towels after they are formed in a bundle and eject them. The new incoming towels force the bundle into the rollers 242.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

The fiat towel is placed in the conveyor 40 and the roller 54 which carries Said towel against the warped surface 37 and 36. The towel travels under the plate 53. The right portion is first folded by the warped surface 37 and wing 38, as shown in Figure 6. As the towel is further conveyed the left portion is now folded, as shown in Figure 7. The right portion has now progressed beyond the wing 38 and the left portion is now engaged by the wing 39 which folds it into the position shown in Figure 8. This completes the longitudinal fold and the conveyor 40 now carries the towel under the knife 87. The brush 110 carries the towel incense onto the chute 109 and the end of the towel strikes the plate 1 17 which forms contact with the screw 118. This causes the electromagnet 119 to operate. The magnet 119 attracts the bar 120 which; drops the plunger 123 in front of the arm 107.- The forward movement of the arm 167 carries the arm 125 against the crank 126, which actuates the rod 96 and depresses the levers 94 and 95, which actuates .the {rods 92 and 93 secured to the knife 87, and causes said knife to be depressed, carryingthe towel between the rollers Wand 78 onto the conveyor belt 70. The transversely folded "towel now is carried onto the chute 1 30, the forward end of said towel striking-the plate154 which forms ancontact'with the screw 155, energizing the electro-magnet 156 and attracting thearm 157 which allows the plunger 159 to drop into the notch 160 in the arm 148.

The reciprocation of the arm 14:8 carries with it the arm 151 on :its forward movement which. through the link 161 carries the lever 162 forwardly, which movement partially rotates the shaft 163. The crank 164 is also moved forwardlyand thecrosshead- 165 is depressed through the-link 166. The downward movement of the crosshead 165, carrying with it the frame 168., brakes the actuating arm 1.71 over the finger 17 2, which causes the shaft 169 to berotated which actuates ,the crank 173, to pull outwardly on the link 174 and push inwardly on the link 175, thus spreading the supporting straps 136 and 137 outwardly and allowing the towel to drop 'upon the intermittently rotated belt 179. The downwardmotion: of the crosshead 165 allows :the rod 192 to drop and causes the pawl 191 to fall into the next lower chute in the r atchet wheel 190.

Since the towel has dropped upon the conveyor 179 the electrical :contact 'iscno longer formed and spring 169 and counterweighted lever 162 return the crosshead to its normal raised position, which again closes the chute 130. I

The raising Ofzthe crosshead 165 pulls upwarldly on the rod 192 which rotates the ratchet by the distance of one tooth.

This operation is repeated until the cam 197 rises into contact with the rod 198 which action causes saidrod to rise infront of the oscillating rod 185, causing the rod 198 to be advanced. The advancing of the rod 198 causesit to come into contact with the finger 206 which advances the strap 207 asuflicient distance toallow the latch -21Of to fall into the notch 210 which holds the strap in its forward position.

The; forward 1n0vement,of thestrap 207 actuates the bell crank 212 which throws the collar 215 into engagement with the clutch 217. This rotates the shaft 216 and through the chain 221 the belt 179 is actu ated, carrying the towels into the roller 24:0

207 to its normal rear position, which causes the bell crank lever 212 to movethe collar 215 out of engagement with the clutch 217 to stop'rotation of said shaft. 3

The flat towel is fed continuously into the machine as rapidly as the one before it has.

cleared the intake roll.

I claim:- a r 1. In combination, a pair of laterally spaced channel members, means whereby towels are successively deposited on'said channel members, receiving means posi tioned below said channel members, and means actuated bysaid towels; to move the channel members apart soas to drop said towels successively onto said receiving means, and means for returning said channel members to position. I .2. In a stacking mach ne, channel members, electricalcontact means located atone end ofsaid channel members, means where' by an object is deposited on said channel membersso asto contact with said electrical contact means, a receiving means, means controlled by said electrical contact means whereby said channel members are moved apart so as :to drop said object on said re ceiving means. I

3. A stacking means comprising channel members, means whereby a towel is depos;

ited on said channel members, a receiving means, a reciprocating crosshead and means actuated by the crosshead for moving apart said channel members so as to drop said towel on the receiving means.

a l. A .stackingmea-ns comprising channel members, means whereby a towel is '-depos-' ited on said channel members, a receiving means, a reciprocating member, cranks carried by said reciprocating member, a link connecting one crank to one of the channel members and a link connecting the other crank to the other channel member so that said channel members are actuatedby' said reciprocating member, to deposit said towel on said receivangmeansr 5. A stacking means comprising guide rods, supporting straps pivoted to said guide rods, a .crosshead, means whereby said crosshead is reciprocated on sa1d guide rods,

ashaft carried by saidcrosshead, a leverof the first class secured :to said shaft, a link from the upper end. of said lever to one of said supportingstraps and-a link from the lower end of said leverto the othersupporting strap, channel members carried by said supporting straps, means whereby a towel is deposited on said channel members, areceiving :means and meanswhereby said lever is partially rotated so as to actuate said channel members when the crosshead is reciprocated so as to drop said towel on the receiving means.

6. A stacking means comprising channel members, stationary guide rods, supporting straps secured to said channel members and pivoted to said guide rods, a crosshead, means whereby said crosshead is reciprocated on said guide rods, a shaft carried by said crosshead, a lever of the first class secured to said shaft, a link operatively connecting one end of the lever to one of the channel members, a second link operatively connecting the other end of the lever with the other channel member, a stational tripping finger, means whereby the tripping finger is supported, a crank arm carried by the said shaft, a jointed arm secured to said crank arm and to said crosshead, said tripping finger being adapted to break said jointed arm as said crosshead descends, thereby rotating said crank arm, shaft and lever and opening said channel members.

7. A stacking means comprising channel members, a. receiving means beneath the channel members, means whereby a towel is deposited on said channel members and means for moving apart said channel members as soon as said towel is entirely extended thereon so as to drop said towel on the receiving means.

8. A stacking means comprising channel members, a receiving means beneath the channel members, means whereby towels are successively deposited on said channel members and means for moving apart said channel members as soon as a towel is deposited thereon so as to drop said towel on the receiving means and means for moving forward said receiving means as soon as a pre-determined number of towels have been deposited thereon.

9. A stacking machine chute consisting of two channel members, means for successively depositing towels on said chute, a receiving means, means whereby said channel members are moved apart, said last mentioned means being set in motion when the forward end of the towel reaches the forward end of the chute.

10. A stacking means comprising channel members, means whereby towels are successively deposited on said channel members, a receiving means, means whereby said channel members are moved apart immediately after and whenever a towel has been deposited thereon so as to drop said towel on .the receiving means and means whereby said receiving means is moved forward as soon as a predetermined have been placed thereon.

11. In 'combinatioma chute, means for successively depositing objects on said chute, a conveyor beneath said chute, means number of towels comprising a operated by said objects to drop them singly and successively from said chute to said conveyor, and means for actuating said conveyor when a predetermined number of such objects are deposited thereon.

12.111 combination, a conveyor, means whereby objects are successively deposited on said conveyor, a pair of cooperating members forming a clutch to control the movement of said conveyor, and means operating to engage said clutch members when a predetermined number of such objects are deposited on said conveyor, said last mentioned means comprising a pitman, a push rod, and means for periodically moving said push rod into the path of said pitman.

13. In combination, a conveyor, means for depositing objects on said conveyor, a pair of cooperating members forming a clutch to control the movement of said conveyor, a pitman, a push rod, connecting means whereby a movement of said push rod causes said clutch members to interengage, and means to move said push rod into the path of said pitman when a predetermined number of said objects have been deposited on said conveyor.

14. In combination, a conveyor, means for depositing objects on said conveyor, a pair of cooperating members forming a clutch for controlling the movement of said conveyor, a lever to operate said clutch, a push rod to actuate said lever, a reciprocating pitman, and means whereby said push rod is moved into the path of said pitman when a predetermined number of said objects have been deposited on said conveyor.

15. In a stacking and counting machine, a movable means, means whereby objects are deposited on said means and means whereby said movable means is actuated after a pre-determined number of such objects are deposited thereon, said third mentioned. means including an electric contact and an electromagnet controlled by said contact.

16. In a stacking machine, channel members, a reciprocating crosshead, a receiving means, means whereby a. towel is deposited on said channel members, means for moving apart said channel members so as to drop said towel on the receiving means, said third mentioned means including an electric contact, a reciprocating crosshead, means operatively connecting said crosshead and channel members and means governed by said contactadapted to actuate said crosshead.

17. In a stacking machine, a reciprocating actuating arm, a second arm adapted to reciprocate below the actuating arm and provided with a notch, a lug carried by the actuating arm, an electromagnet, a bar carried-thereby, a rod connecting'said bar and said actuating arm so as to raise or lower the lugon said actuating arm out of or into said notch on said arm, said actuating arm being reciprocated by said arm only when the said lug is in the said notch, means whereby the arm is actuated, a reciprocating crosshead, means operatively connecting said crosshead and said actuating arm, channel members and means operatively connecting said crosshead and channel members so that as the said crosshead is l In testimony whereof I afiix my signa- 15 ture.

ALLISTER s. MITCHELL. 

